Scratch Hero? Ars interviews Mix Master Mike about DJ title

Mix Master Mike is more than qualified to serve as a creative consultant to …

This summer, a little-known publisher by the name of Genius Products will release Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, a peripheral-based rhythm game for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. The game has been billed as the first Guitar Hero or Rock Band experience for hip-hop enthusiasts, and features creative oversight from legendary scratch DJ Mix Master Mike, aka Michael Schwartz.

In between scribbles, transforms, and crab scratches, Ars caught up with Mike to discuss his foray into video game land, his thoughts on the game, and how the upstart Scratch might compete with Activision's DJ Hero, planned for release this fall.

To be clear, Schwartz's involvement was mostly with creative oversight, not as a designer. "For example, I helped by providing feedback on the cross fader functionality, and the sensitivity of the turntable wheel to make sure it felt as close to the real thing as possible," he said.

Very little is known about Scratch at this point, let alone the peripheral it will ship with, which is a bit of a concern since the game is supposed to launch this summer. And Mike was unwilling to disclose further details, presumably at the behest of the publisher.

"Without giving away too much, I will tell you that when the game is fully completed [the peripheral is still in prototype], anyone that is into scratch DJing and beat making will be very pleased," he assured Ars. "The gameplay is designed to inspire players to be creative with the music and learn to improvise like real DJs do... Scratch not only simulates the art of scratching, but it also helps with practicing your timing and precision as a real-life DJ."

Mike's favorite part of the game so far? "The ability to bounce back and forth from scratching to beat making," he said. If Wired'srecent preview of the game is any guide, it seems the peripheral features extra buttons for sampled beats in addition to the platter wheel, something standard decks do not include. "The idea is brilliant," he added.

In terms of what artists will be included on the licensed soundtrack, Mike says players can expect "an amazing set list from artists like Eric B. and Rakim, Run DMC, The Beastie Boys, and a song from your boy, Mix Master Mike." He's also confident the game will revitalize an interest in DJ culture, much like Rock Band has for classic rock.

"I know that Scratch can reinvigorate DJ culture," he says. "I think once kids get ahold of it, it's definitely going to influence them into getting real turntables to not only keep the art alive but to spawn a new generation of DJs and beat makers."

While rhythm gaming is a crowded genre, the hip-hop community has been ill-served in the current-generation offerings, and releasing a game focused on the turntables, with such an impressive mixture of talents, is a sure way to get noticed. Without seeing the hardware however, it's hard to know if this is going to be a game that can stand up to Activision Blizzard, or if it is destined to become an also-ran. We can say the early signs are extremely positive, with all the right names attached to the project.